Clinical Psychology

educational background and sometimes requires
several years of supervised experience beyond the
doctorate. Many states also have subsequent con-
tinuing education requirements, like attending
workshops or scientific presentations. It appears
that licensing boards are becoming increasingly
restrictive, sometimes requiring specific courses,
excluding master’s candidates, and demanding
degrees from APA-approved programs. They are

also occasionally beginning to intrude into the

activities of academic and research psychologists.

For example, a state may require that any psychol-

ogist studying depressed patients be licensed, even if

no treatment is administered.

Licensing and certification remain topics of

intense professional interest. Some insist that licens-

ing standards should not be enforced until research

demonstrates their utility and positive client

Looking back, what activities or experiences were the

most important for you in your graduate school

program?

While I’m not sure I would ever voluntarily put myself

through our written comprehensive exam process

again, I know that this experience has been the single

most influential experience for me as a clinical scientist.

By taking months to read and learn about all aspects of

the field (from statistical techniques to empirically vali-

dated treatments to assessing various disorders to

understanding sex differences in diagnoses), I have

learned that you really cannot study any aspect of psy-

chology in and of itself—the field and its issues are all

intertwined and related. If you think you can blow off

your psychometrics class because it is not yourforte,

think again! Everything builds upon itself in psychology.

The more you know about the fundamentals of our

field, the stronger you will be in your ability to ask

important and meaningful research questions, design

innovative studies (because you will know where the

gaps in the literature are), and contribute knowledge to

your particular research interest’s literature.

Any additional hints for those trying to make it

through graduate school in clinical psychology?

Find whatever motivates you to keep on going and do it.

There will be days when you will want to quit. Be pre-

pared for this. For me, getting my Ph.D. has been my

dream since I was in high school. That being said, I have

printed out a sign that I have hung on my door where

my desk is at home that reads“Dr. Christine Maldo-

nado.”Every time I go into my study to work, I see that

sign and it reminds me that in a few short years that

paper sign will be replaced with the real deal. Addi-

tionally, I would find an activity that has NOTHING to do

with psychology and make time for yourself to do that

activity. For me, I decided to train for a marathon during

my fourth year. During these training runs, I could think

about nothing, mull over research ideas, or just be alone

with my thoughts. Finding time for yourself is invaluable

in your survival in graduate school. Without this time,

you will burn out. You need to find your own outlet, not

only to succeed in the program, but for your mental and

physical health as well.

Christine Maldonado

Christine Maldonado

CURRENT ISSUES IN CLINICAL PSYCHOLOGY 69